New York Philharmonic – The Second Street Dreams Audio Network

Happy 250th And Then Some

June 11, 2026/in Classical Music In Color/by Judlyne Lilly

We have been inundated with new music and performances of old patriotic music because of the 250^th birthday of the United States. On this June 8^th podcast, I’m starting a series on music composed and performed specifically for the big bash next month.

This time it’s Karen LeFrak’s American Promise.

You’ll also meet Dawn Carroll who was inspired to compose Songs for Mary.

It’s aboutMary Cardwell Dawson, a woman who created the National Negro Opera Company in the Pittsburgh home that housed some famous Black sports figures and music makers. BTW: The song “If the Walls Could Talk” was enhanced by Danny Borgers

June is also the month of Juneteenth and Pride month celebrations with some big firsts among them.

Here are the links to some of the other items mentioned in the podcast.

The SBI at the New York Philharmonic

November 20, 2025/in Stories of interest/by Judlyne Lilly

There is always much concern about the future audiences for classical music. The New York Philharmonic may have found the solution. It’s their 100-year-old Young People’s Concerts. A new one is coming up this month called the Young People’s Concert: Symphonies! Stories! Sibelius! It’ll tell an elaborate and fictional tale about the investigation of Sibelius’ Second Symphony written by classical music expert and writer Lauren Rico.

Anthony McGill

May 21, 2024/in Classical Music In Color/by Judlyne Lilly

The First Black Principal Clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic.

Something special happens when two African American classical musicians come together to perform a work about the Black experience in America. Anthony McGill, the first Black Principal Clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, has been on a tour of sorts with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Anthony Davis. McGill performs Davis’s reality-based work, You Have The Right To Remain Silent.

In this edition of Classical Music In Color, hear the story of how McGill made his ascent to the top of the classical music world. And how he’s helping others get there too.